The British Council joined forces with London Metropolitan University (UK) to run its largest video pitch competition in 2020 – the Creative Spark Big Idea Challenge.
The competition provides thousands of young people (aged between 18 and 35 years) with the opportunity to develop their own business ideas and enterprise skills. The platform also helps young entrepreneurs to raise their profile and improve their career prospects, at a time when youth unemployment is a growing concern and the Covid-19 health pandemic has disrupted economies around the world.
Creative Spark Big Idea Challenge 2020 Winners from Azerbaijan:
| Category | Winning Idea | Winner(s) | University |
| Country Champion | "Kekalove Adaptive Fashion" - An adaptive fashion brand for persons with disabilities | Mahammad Kekalov | Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) |
| People's Choice Award | "Road Buddy" - Gadget/app to aid visually impaired people to navigate independently | Solmaz Fatullayeva | Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction |
| Creative | "G2G Hotel" - The Game-to-Gamer hotel for game lovers | Hasan Safaraliyev, Aytan Hajiyeva, Miryaqub Babayev | Khazar University |
| Digital Technology | "Mealman" - Order your food before arriving at the restaurant | Zaman Karimov, Elnur Valikhanli | Khazar University |
| Social Impact | "Kekalove Adaptive Fashion" - An adaptive fashion brand for persons with disabilities | Mahammad Kekalov | Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) |
The winners were selected by a panel of national and international judges experienced in enterprise education and creative entrepreneurship. The general public voted for the ‘People’s Choice Public Vote Winner’, with over 50,000 people choosing their favourite idea.
The competition ran in the countries of South Caucasus, Central Asia and Ukraine from 2 March to 19 July 2020. Almost 500 new business ideas were shortlisted, supported by 110 higher education and creative institutions. Young entrepreneurs competed across three categories: digital technology, social impact and creative ideas. In response to Covid-19, the British Council introduced an additional part of the competition, the ‘Pandemic Response Innovation Award’.
Richard Everitt, Director Education Wider Europe, comments: “There has never been a greater need for innovative business ideas to help boost economies around the world and tackle youth unemployment. At the British Council we’re pleased to be supporting students, graduates and entrepreneurs who have the potential to make a huge difference to our world. With over one fifth of ideas responding to Covid-19, we’re excited to provide funding to the winners to kick-start new businesses and help them to achieve their dreams.”